Top 5 things to do in Winnipeg this weekend

Music, music and more music with Juno Fest and Oh No Festival

Local favourites The Lytics are taking the stage at the Centennial Concert Hall with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra this weekend.

This is the weekend to celebrate amazing local artists in Winnipeg. The most talented and entertaining musicians we’ve got will be on stages across the city for Juno Fest and Oh No Fest all weekend long.

That means studying schedules and visiting countless Facebook event pages to pick the absolute best ones to spend your time at.

I’ve got my top five picks from both festivals below – and I’d suggest investing in a Juno Fest wristband if you’re planning on going to even two of the events this weekend. For $30 bucks, it’s one of those rare wristbands that is very, very worth it.

And, if you time it out right, there are three great events from two festivals you can get to on Saturday night!

WHAT: Juno Fest – WSO with Royal Canoe and The Lytics

When: Friday, Saturday or Sunday

Where: Centennial Concert Hall at 555 Main St.

Cost: $15 if you are under 30

The number-one-can’t-miss show of the weekend is happening at the Centennial Concert Hall of all places.

Royal Canoe is playing with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra this weekend. They're also nominated for a Juno. (Supplied photo)

It’s not the first place you think of when you plan to party on Juno weekend, but trust me, there is something spectacular in the works.

Two amazing locals – Royal Canoe and The Lytics – are going to be playing alongside the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra all weekend long.

Shows Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon will give local bands with an already incredible sound a major boost.

And they’re not the only ones who will be on stage. Nathan Music Co. and Imaginary Cities will be doing short sets.

Plus, if you’re under 30, tickets are a steal for $15 a pop. It’s also a pretty cool way to get initiated to the WSO.

They do spectacular stuff year round, and it’s tough competing with Winnipeg’s incredible music scene.

WHAT: Juno Fest – Mise en Scene and Noble Thiefs

When: Friday, March 28 at 10 p.m.

Where: Ozzy’s at 160 Osborne St.

Cost: $15 (or get a Juno Fest wristband for $30)

So after checking out Royal Canoe and The Lytics play alongside the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, you’re probably going to want to dance your pants off somewhere.

Mise en Scene will take the final set at Ozzy's on Friday night. (Mise en Scene)

I suggest hitting up Ozzy’s in Osborne Village.

The grimy yet loveable venue is hosting a very danceable show on Friday night at 10 p.m. First to take the stage is Electric Soul, followed by Yes We Mystic at 11 p.m., and then the real party starts.

Noble Thiefs are on at midnight and Mise en Scene (one my absolute favourite local bands!) are playing at 1 a.m.

The Noble Thiefs are a Winnipeg institution, and the fact Mise en Scene is going on after should tell you how great the femme-duo is.

If you haven’t heard ‘em yet, the duo sound a bit like HAIM, Tegan and Sara and Karen O. They play a ton of super dancey, not-too-pop-y tracks -- perfect for a post-symphony dance party.

Also, use the washroom as much as possible before heading to Ozzy’s. ‘Cause it’s not pretty in there, folks.

WHAT: Oh No Fest – The Hours

When: Saturday, March 29 at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Underground Venue at 333-b Garry St.

Cost: $10

This is a great one to catch before you go to Eagle Lake Owls and then a Tribe Called Red.

The Hours are playing a super short, dinner-hour set as part of Oh No Fest at Underground Venue on Garry Street.

The electro-indie foursome has a really great synthy sound you often don’t hear from locals, and the play too few sets in this city!

If you’re not acquainted with Oh No Festival, it’s a hip hop, indie rock, punk and hardcore festival that’s showcasing artists who won’t be in the spotlight during Juno Fest.

The Hours are playing along with a lot of other local bands who aren’t super well-known, so you can stick around for their sets or head onto Times Change(d).

Big plus? This venue is walking distance from Times Change(d) where Eagle Lake Owls take the stage at 8 p.m.

WHAT: Juno Fest – Eagle Lake Owls and Sweet Alibi

When: Saturday, March 29 at 8 p.m.

Where: Times Change(d) at 234 Main St.

Cost: $15 (or get a Juno Fest wristband for $30)

Got a hot date this weekend? Bring them to Times Change(d) on Main Street to catch Eagle Lake Owls and Sweet Alibi.

Go see Eagle Lake Owls' set at Times Change(d) this weekend as part of JunoFest. (Facebook)

The lineup is full of super romantic bands, and the venue is the perfect place for a whisky and some twinkle-light-lit dancing.

Of course, if you don’t have a hot date, you can bring a friend who won’t be embarrassed by you gently swaying to some really sweet indie-folk rock.

The show is also nice and early so you can go somewhere else with your date or ditch them for someone cooler and go to the A Tribe Called Red show in the Exchange.

Eagle Lake Owls play first, though, so make sure to get there for 8 p.m. sharp! 100 Mile House is next up at 9 p.m. and Red Moon Road takes the stage at 10 p.m. Lastly, the lovely Sweet Alibi is playing at 11 p.m.

WHAT: Juno Fest – A Tribe Called Red

When: Saturday, March 29 from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Where: Exchange Event Centre at 291 Bannatyne Ave.

Cost: $15 (or get a Juno Fest wristband for $30)

The lovely men behind A Tribe Called Red are back in Winnipeg for Juno weekend. They’re playing as part of the Aboriginal Juno Nominee Showcase at the Exchange Event Centre.

Check out the lovely dues in A Tribe Called Red on Saturday night! (Pat Bolduc)

The showcase is going on all weekend, but A Tribe Called Red is playing Saturday night at 1 a.m.

If you’re not familiar, the group plays a mix of traditional music with hip hop, dub step and reggae.

And I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: There’s not a nicer, more modest dude in the business than Deejay NDN, so I always advocate supporting his music!

If you’re still not sold, there’s a stellar lineup before the crew plays, including Inez Jasper, George Leach and Amanda Rheaume.

Best laid plans for the evening involve hitting up The Hours show on Garry Street, walking over to Times Change(d) to see Eagle Lake Owls and Sweet Alibi and then skipping over to the Exchange Event Centre for the 1 a.m. set.